How to turn a short story into an AI video with narration

To turn a short story into a narrated AI video, write a simple beginning, change and ending; divide that story into visible actions; then prepare images, motion and narration for each scene. Keep character details consistent and assemble only the clips that support the story. An attractive shot is useful only if the viewer understands what happens next.

Story ready? Paste it into Storytelling to get a narrated film with voice-over, captions and music.

Our example follows a bicycle repairer who delays closing the shop to help a customer. You can adapt the method to a brand story, a personal fictional project or a short educational narrative.

Start with a change, not a collection of images

A story needs a reason to move from one scene to the next. Before choosing visual styles, finish this sentence: “At first the character wants something, then a difficulty changes the situation, and finally the character makes a choice.”

Our example is small enough to explain clearly: a bicycle repairer is about to close for the day. A customer arrives with a loose basket. The repairer puts down the closing sign and helps. The ending shows the customer riding away while the repairer closes the shop a little later.

The emotional idea is generosity. We do not need a dramatic accident, dialogue between several people or a sweeping city sequence to express it. Keeping the action modest also makes continuity easier to review.

Write the spoken story before expanding the visuals

Use this sample narration as a starting point:

The workshop was already quiet. Jules had put away the tools and reached for the closing sign. Then someone stopped outside, holding a bicycle basket that would not stay in place. He looked at the clock, then opened the door again. A few careful adjustments later, the customer was on the way home. The shop closed late that evening, but one small journey became easier.

Read it aloud. Notice where the listener needs time to understand an action. Generate the voice-over in Voice & Audio to measure its real length. Shorten unnecessary sentences before accelerating the narration.

If the video promotes a real business, replace fictional claims with approved facts.

Turn the story into four scene cards

Each card should state what changes, what remains constant and what the viewer must see.

Scene	Visible action	Narration purpose	Continuity anchor
Closing time	Repairer reaches toward a blank hanging sign	Establish the end of the working day	Blue apron, wooden doorway
An arrival	Customer holds a bicycle beside the entrance	Introduce the small problem	Green bicycle, front basket
The choice	Repairer places the sign back and examines the basket	Show the decision to help	Same apron and bicycle
Departure	Customer rides away from the workshop	Resolve the story	Same doorway and evening light

If a shot asks for too much, split it. For example, reaching for a sign and examining the basket can be separate clips joined by a cut.

Create a compact continuity reference

Write a short reference that stays beside every scene prompt: adult repairer, short dark hair, plain blue apron, light shirt, small wooden workshop, soft early-evening light. Give the bicycle its own reference: muted green frame, front wicker basket, no visible brand marks.

Decide which details are essential. The same face and clothing may matter for a close-up, while the exact arrangement of tools in the background may not. Avoid adding dozens of decorative details that neither tell the story nor remain easy to check.

Create the character in the Image Studio, then add it as a reference image: Gemini Omni accepts up to 7 reference images. In Storytelling, turn on the character consistency option. Never use a customer’s private portrait or generation without permission. To keep the same face across images, follow the guide to keeping a character consistent across AI images.

Prepare one scene in Deepnia

Open Storytelling to turn your story into a narrated film, or prepare the character first in the Image Studio, then the first scene in the Video Studio with the prompt below.

Give each shot one clear job

Example prompt for the first scene:

Medium shot of an adult bicycle repairer wearing a plain blue apron over a light shirt, standing inside a small wooden workshop at early evening. The repairer slowly reaches toward a blank hanging sign beside the doorway. Warm light enters from the open door. Camera remains still. Natural, restrained movement; no readable lettering or logos.

The prompt describes something visible. “A generous person reflecting on life” would leave the important action unclear. Save the meaning for the sequence and narration; describe the observable movement in the shot prompt.

For the repair scene, a close-up may communicate the adjustment without asking the model to preserve two complete faces at once. Inspect hands, basket attachments and bicycle parts carefully. If the image invents a repair that looks unsafe or impossible, replace the shot rather than explaining the error away.

Make narration support the picture

Narration should add meaning instead of naming every object. When viewers can see the repairer opening the door, the voice can explain the choice, not repeat “he opens the door.” Keep pronunciation and delivery consistent across takes.

Use the text-to-speech script guide to separate spoken words from production notes. Instructions such as “pause while the basket is repaired” belong in your scene plan, not in the text to be spoken.

Listen to the narration before assembling the final edit. A sentence that sounds natural in your head may feel rushed when spoken. Adjust the text and scene timing together rather than stretching every clip to an arbitrary length. To place pauses well, follow the guide to controlling pacing and pauses in AI narration.

If the project needs several voice takes or later revisions, use the AI narration workflow guide to track the approved script, accepted audio and delivery versions. Keep that production record separate from the scene cards: one tells you which file is current; the other explains what the viewer should understand.

Assemble around meaning, then review the export

In Storytelling, your scenes, narration, captions and music are assembled into one edited film. Review each scene’s narration before rendering, and keep only the sound that helps the viewer follow the action.

Watch once without audio: can you understand the arrival, choice and departure? Then listen without looking: does the narration form a complete, understandable story? Finally watch the exported file on a phone, checking captions, crop, abrupt cuts and whether music masks the voice.

Keep a simple revision list: wrong bicycle, changing apron, unclear arrival, rushed final sentence. Fix the specific scene or line rather than regenerating everything. Review any disclosure requirements for the platform where you intend to share the finished video.

Frequently asked questions

Can I paste a whole story into a video generator?

Yes, with Storytelling: paste your story (up to 2,000 characters) and get an edited film, scene by scene, with voice-over, captions and music. For a predictable brief, keep a master story and separate scene cards so you can review each scene.

Should every scene use the same prompt?

Reuse the character and setting reference, not the whole prompt. The action, framing and narrative purpose should change as the story develops. Repeating everything can produce several similar shots without a meaningful sequence.

Do I need a different AI model for every scene?

No. Keep one model for the whole story, for example Gemini Omni, the default video model. Switching models can introduce visual differences; do it for a clear capability need, not because a name is popular.

Build your first narrated sequence

Start with four scene cards and one short narration. Keep your original story, reference notes and review checklist together so later revisions remain deliberate. For an audio-only version, Story Audio creates a multi-voice audiobook.

Open Storytelling to turn your story into a narrated film, or generate the key shot first in the Video Studio.